Texas LLC Name Search — Step 1 of 8
Use a preliminary search to identify possible conflicts and check formatting. A search does not confirm final availability or guarantee that a $300 formation filing will be accepted.
Your Texas LLC name must (1) include a designator like "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company," (2) be distinguishable from every existing Texas entity, and (3) avoid restricted words like "bank" or "university" without state approval. Run a free check on the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search, confirm with the Secretary of State, then file your Certificate of Formation — or reserve the name for $40 if you're not ready yet.
- Required designator
- LLC, L.L.C., etc.
- Standard
- Must be distinguishable
- Free search
- Comptroller entity search
- Official search
- Current SOS search/inquiry tools; preliminary
- Preliminary check
- SOS 512-463-5555
- Name reservation
- $40 · 120 days (Form 501)
- Assumed name (DBA)
- $25 (Form 503)
- Next step
- Step 2: Agent →
Why the Name Search Comes First
Names must satisfy SOS distinguishability and other rules. Review the state’s current filing and correction instructions before submission; a preliminary search is not final approval.
Screen the proposed name and search core words, then obtain the state’s filing review. Formatting results alone do not guarantee an acceptable or legally usable name.
Texas LLC Name Compliance Checker
Type your proposed name below. This tool checks it against Texas's formatting rules — the required designator and restricted words — then gives you the "core name" to search against the state's records. It can't read the state database for you, but it catches the formatting mistakes that cause most rejections.
Enter the full name you want, including "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company."
Texas LLC Naming Rules (TBOC §5.053–5.056)
Texas naming rules are governed by the Texas Business Organizations Code. There are three that matter for nearly every LLC: the designator, distinguishability, and restricted words.
1. Your name must include an LLC designator
Under §5.056, your Texas LLC name must end with one of these approved designators. "LLC" is the most common and universally accepted:
You can't substitute a corporate ending like "Inc.," "Corp.," or "Ltd." on its own — those signal a different entity type. Texas accepts the name with or without a comma before the designator (both "Acme Tools LLC" and "Acme Tools, LLC" are fine).
2. Your Name Must Be "Distinguishable"
Under §5.053, your name has to be distinguishable in the records of the Secretary of State from every existing entity, registered foreign entity, and active name reservation. A 2018 law (HB 2856) loosened the old, very rigid standard, but you still can't be too close to an existing name.
What does not make a name distinguishable:
- A different designator. "Sarah's Styles LLC" and "Sarah's Styles Inc." are not distinguishable.
- Articles and conjunctions. "Coffee House," "A Coffee House," and "The Coffee House" are all the same name.
- Punctuation, spacing, or plurals. "Stride Fitness" and "Strides Fitness" are treated as identical.
What does make a name distinguishable: genuinely different words, a different proper noun, a geographic modifier ("Houston Stride Fitness"), or an industry qualifier ("Stride Strength Fitness"). When in doubt, change a real word — not just punctuation.
Search the core word firstBecause Texas ignores the designator when judging conflicts, search your core words without "LLC" first — that gives you the broadest view of potential conflicts. Then run a couple of variations with plurals and common add-ons like "Group" or "Services."
3. Restricted and Prohibited Words
Some words are blocked outright; others require written approval from a state agency before you can use them:
- Government implications — words like "FBI," "Treasury," or "State Department" that suggest you're a government agency are not allowed.
- "Bail Bond" is prohibited in an LLC name, as is anything implying illegal activity or that's grossly offensive.
- "Bank," "Trust," "Trust Company" — allowed only with authorization from the Texas Banking Commissioner.
- "College," "University," "Law School" — require approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- "Insurance," "Olympic" — need authorization from the relevant regulator or the U.S. Olympic Committee.
How to Search Name Availability in Texas
There's a free way and an official way — use both:
- Free first pass — Texas Comptroller Taxable Entity Search. The Comptroller's database covers nearly every active Texas entity and is free. Search your core words here to catch obvious conflicts before spending anything.
- Use the current SOS search/inquiry tools and filing review. Search and preliminary clearance do not guarantee acceptance or resolve trademark rights.
- Confirm with the SOS directly. For a preliminary determination, call the Corporations Section at 512-463-5555 or email your name inquiry. A search is only a screening tool — the final determination is made when your document is processed.
A search is a screen, not a guaranteeThe Secretary of State notes that name availability isn't finally determined until your Certificate of Formation is actually received and reviewed. If your name is borderline, calling 512-463-5555 first is the safest move before you pay the $300.
Reserving Your Texas LLC Name
A Texas name reservation or renewal costs $40 and lasts120days. Renew by filing a new application during the30days before the existing reservation expires; renewal is another120day reservation, not a30day extension. A Comptroller search or SOS preliminary check does not guarantee acceptance or clear trademark rights; SOS makes the final determination when it processes the filing.
For most people, reserving isn't necessary — if you're ready to file now, just file. The reservation is worth it only when there's a real gap between picking the name and filing.
Using a Different Name (Assumed Name / DBA)
Want your LLC to operate publicly under a name different from its legal name? File an Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) with the Secretary of State for $25. This lets "Smith Holdings LLC" do business as "Lone Star Lawn Care" without forming a second entity.
One caveat: unlike your legal LLC name, an assumed name gives you no exclusivity — multiple businesses can register the same DBA, and it adds no liability protection of its own.
- ✓Ask whether name screening is included. The state decides name availability and filing acceptance.
- ✓Review address-use rules and privacy policies; a service does not remove all information from public filings. Government fee reference: $300 TX state fee.
- ✓Confirm registered-agent eligibility, coverage, included periods and renewal charges.
- ✓Review current service terms, privacy policies and renewal pricing before ordering.
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Reservation renewal and preliminary searches
A Texas name reservation or renewal costs $40 and lasts120days. Renew by filing a new application during the30days before the existing reservation expires; renewal is another120day reservation, not a30day extension. A Comptroller search or SOS preliminary check does not guarantee acceptance or clear trademark rights; SOS makes the final determination when it processes the filing.
Texas LLC Name Search — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. Consult current SOS name-filing rules and Form501 instructions. A reservation does not clear trademark rights or replace the formation filing.
About Ahmad Adil → Texas LLC Overview →